December is when I like to reflect and feel gratitude for the many blessings I have experienced over the past year. With my Pilates, there have been many. I successfully graduated from The Work with Jay Grimes and Sandy Shimoda. From this experience, I gained many new relationships with pilates friends from all over the world. And, right here in our own studio, we added an amazing new teacher, French-born, Julie Fontana-Giusti from Sydney, Australia.

I interviewed Julie for some Q & A to find out more about this awesome gal and pilates teacher who, by the way, thinks Edmonton is exotic!

Carmen Lanteigne: Where did you train?

Julie Fontana-Giusti: I first trained at Authentic Pilates in Sydney (Australia). I also completed the certificate of anatomy and physiology and the bridging diploma which is an accreditation of Pilates in Australia aligned with the health industry. A year later, I decided to further my training with Cynthia Lochard, a level 1 teacher with Romana’s Pilates program. I completed two-thirds of the training before I moved to Edmonton. I plan to finish my advanced training in the summer of 2018.

CL: What is your favourite piece of apparatus?

JFG: I love the reformer! On the reformer, I get a great workout without stopping in a progression of exercises perfectly designed by Joseph Pilates. I feel so good after!

CL: What is your favourite Pilates exercise?

JFG: My favourite exercise is the shoulder bridge on the cadillac. I love exercises where I articulate my spine and I love to be "in the air.”

CL: What is your least favourite Pilates exercise?

JFG: Crisscross and tictoc! My legs are very long and they feel heavy so it’s work for me to hold them upright without using my hip flexors.

CL: How have you benefited from Pilates?

JFG: Before practicing Pilates I didn't have any pain in my body, nor did I really pay any attention to my body’s position. But, now I stand significantly straighter and have a better silhouette. Furthermore, I noticed when I train in other sports I love such as tennis, windsurfing, and skiing, my performance is much stronger. Pilates has helped me to find my centre and understand that every movement comes from that strong torso.

CL: What do your students love about you?

JFG: First, I was mentored by excellent teachers in Australia which gave me a good base for the teacher I am today. I am passionate about Pilates, and I believe in what I teach. I guide my students with a calm, encouraging voice, and if necessary I will guide their movement with my hands.

CL: What do you love about teaching?

JFG: I love passing on my passion, guiding and accompanying people in their movements. I find it very satisfying to help them feel better in their bodies. It is very rewarding to hear feedback from my students that since practising Pilates they do not have anymore pain. I feel like I am doing something very useful.

CL: You are new in Edmonton. How do you like it so far?

JFG: Yes, I arrived in Edmonton last spring after a few years in Australia with my husband and our three daughters. I am French born and lived in France up until our time in Australia. My husband, who is Italian and who was born in the US, has lived in six different countries so we wanted to give the same multicultural experience to our girls. When the opportunity came up to come to Canada we located to Edmonton.

CL: What do you like about Edmonton?

JFG: For me, it's totally exotic, totally different than I am used to! I am very excited being here! I love the snow... so far. I am pleased to swap out my swimsuit for skis, ice skates, and snow boots. As for the people, we have had a wonderful welcoming from our neighbours like we’ve never felt before. And most people in Edmonton we meet are very nice.

To find out more about Julie, you can find her teaching private, semi-private lessons, and guiding students in our AP classes.